Wii Shortage Expected to Continue

Are You Still Minus a Wii?

Don't hate me, but I've had my Wii since they first hit the shelves back in 2006. I know, I know, some people are still scouring through weekly Target ads, obsessively clicking refresh on Amazon, and getting up at the crack of dawn to wait outside a game store just on the off chance they might get one in stock. I understand your pain and I'm not here to brag, just to ask the question on everyone's mind: Why are Wii's still so hard to find?

With the Wii heading towards its second birthday this year, why the heck can't those unlucky folks get their hands on one? Unfortunately, some analysts say it's due to the dropping value of the all mighty dollar. With much more profits being made in Europe, some speculate Nintendo is attempting to squeeze all it can out of the European market with their Wii supply before re-stocking the shelves here in the US. But this isn't the only theory, to learn more, just read more.

Other conspiracy theorists are saying that since Nintendo has already met their end of March goals (with 6 million units shipped), and are building up supply, continuing the demand, and ensuring awesome second quarter sales. Unfortunately, with American retailers now running at 2.5 percent availability, some are expecting the Wii shortage to continue through 2009. Zoinks! Bad news indeed.

It's so strange to me that they are still sold out. Why is it so hard for them to make more? The stores here only get about five at a time. We had no trouble getting ours when they first came out, but my boyfriend had to stand in line for a while. An adventure (as I call it) he's used to. :)

I think this is sort of obnoxious of Nintendo to forsake their American market like this. I mean, they somehow managed to save their floundering company through ingenunity ("wiimotes", whoo?) and great marketing (a la Apple) and I give them credit for that. But c'mon! The Wii is basically the Gamecube with a new coat of paint! They shouldn't be snobs. You guys are making money now, Nintendo - step up the production before more people wise up to your game.

My boyfriend and I are casually looking for one, we'll look in any electronic stores we happen to be in. We're both so busy at this point that it might be hard to find time to play it if we did get one. I'd love to play Super Mario Galaxy though!

my ex boyfriend got his about a month after it came out, and my boyfriend now got his in the beginning of 2007. when my boyfriend and i went to best buy to get mario kart wii the day it came out, they had a WHOLE PALETTE just hanging out in the middle of the store. and even though i don't personally own the console (the only gaming systems i've owned have been handheld) i did go ahead and reserve a copy of wii fit.

I work at EB Games, and it's an odd situation. Here, the demand seems to be waning, or the excitement rather. People come into the store, we have 6 Wii's out back, therefore there's no rush for them to make the purchase. But then, it could be that so many people just assume we don't have any after so many previous failed attempts to acquire one, so they don't bother asking. It worries me still, I was holding out for a lime green Wii, but I don't suppose that'll be happening any time soon when the old whites are still flying off the shelves... The situation I'm actually seeing more of, is the difficulty in finding an 80gb PS3. I'm not sure if Sony is reducing production in preparation for the elusive 120gb or what, but jeez, we haven't had an 80 in stock for quiiiite some time!

My mom went to WalMart to get mine like two weeks after the launch (I was studying for finals) this year my sister wanted one and we found it at target. Alabama is full of them. Everyone I know that wanted one has gotten one. I think some areas of the country have more people thus higher demand. Other ares like Alabama, have less demand. The best way to find a Wii is to go to a place that is less populated. For example, if you live near Chicago, go to a store further away from the city. That is the key.

My boyfriend and I got one from gamestop.com over a year ago and it delivered very quickly and safely. They sell them in bundles, and the games they have change frequently. So I suggest if people can't find one, they look there and keep checking til they get an assortment of games they want. Although it seems expensive, it really isn't because you would buy the extra controllers, games, etc anyway.
Right now the bundle is GREAT so don't pass it up if you want one. The system comes with the recharger, an additional nunchuck, Wii Play w/ another remote, and Super Mario Galaxy- all stuff you need to buy anyway! Here's the link: http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=71310

lovekailua -- you are not alone! i have a wii that i haven't touched in many months. my work schedule is so crazy and when i get home, i exercise and make dinner. i just don't have the time to play video games right now!

This story is totally relevant to my life now. Here in Chicago they are seriously sold out. I had to look for a month straight as I was not willing to pay more online. Craigslist, Ebay and Amazon wanted about $335 for them when they are $249 in store. Finally I stalked a Gamestop in Evanston for a few days in a row at 11am, (a tip for anyone in Chicago still looking) and caught one right off the truck 2days before the Mario Kart release. It is way too hard to find a Wii. Nintendo is seriously cashing in on this.

Just a week or two after Christmas, I walked into a Target and decided to pass the Wii area for giggles...and lo & behold, there were 2 Wiis. I immediately snatched one up. I even saved 10% by opening up a Target account (paid it off as soon as I got home).

I wasn't going to start looking for a Wii until after graduation, but I was randomly walking through the electronics section of Target three weeks ago and saw one and couldn't pass it by. I knew that if I didn't get it then, it would be gone when I was ready.